R64 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Cohorting only exceptional

Recommendation

Health Boards should ensure that cohorting is not used as a substitute for single room isolation and is only resorted to in exceptional circumstances.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Scottish Government response, 18 June 2015, the Scottish Government established a policy requiring 100% single-room accommodation in new-build hospitals and at least 50% in refurbished hospitals to minimise the need for cohorting. According to ARHAI Scotland / NIPCM, 11 July 2022, detailed guidance from ARHAI Scotland's National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM), updated in July 2022, restricts cohorting to exceptional circumstances when single rooms are unavailable, reinforcing single-room isolation as the default.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.gov.scot, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Scottish Government
18 Jun 2015

Section 3.1 of the Scottish Government's response outlines a policy to increase single-room accommodation in hospitals. All planned new-build hospitals are now required to provide 100% single-room accommodation, and refurbished hospital builds must ensure at least 50%. This initiative aims to significantly contribute to reducing patients' risk of contracting and passing on infection, thereby minimizing the need for cohorting.

Read Full Response
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Good Progress
11 Jul 2022
ARHAI Scotland / NIPCM Other

NIPCM provides detailed guidance on isolation and cohorting. Cohorting is restricted to exceptional circumstances when single rooms are unavailable. National standards reinforce single-room isolation as default.

View detailed findings

NIPCM updated July 2022 with ongoing revisions. Provides evidence-based guidance on when cohorting may be used as a last resort.

National Infection Prevention and Control Manual … View Source
Source
Inquiry Vale of Leven Inquiry
Report The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report 24 Nov 2014
View Source
Responsible Bodies
NHS Health Boards (Scotland) Primary
Themes & Tags
Care home infection control Patient safety governance Isolation Infection Control
Recommendation age 11.3 yrs
Last formal update 3932 days ago